I didn’t think the combination of point-and-click and brawler gameplay would work, but BROK the InvestiGator smashed all my cautious expectations. Also, it is a refreshingly original game that provides flexibility to the player, whether you want to enjoy it casually or prefer a more challenging experience. I myself have become a bit tired of the point-and-click genre, but BROK changed my mind. This is thanks to the creativity and multiple ways to tackle the game’s puzzles. This is probably one of the few games in this genre I see myself easily returning to again. BROK is brilliant overall and easily a contender for Game of the Year. Do not miss this one. If you still need convincing, there is a free demo prologue to try on Steam.
Zapling Bygone is a dark and challenging platform adventure that I recommend. The game design feels familiar for an adventure game, but it’s the game’s presentation that makes it stand out, along with its steep yet rewarding challenge. If you love exploration, Zapling Bygone will reward you for your efforts, although this may not suit those looking for a guided or casual experience. During reviewing, the game is let down with regular crashes and the occasional performance issue, but hopefully, these will be ironed out with time. Ultimately I liked what Zapling Bygone was going for. It sucked me into its hive mind and made me a fan. If you’re up for the challenge it just might suck you in too.
DIG is the type of roguelike that maintains my faith in the genre, which shows no signs of going away any time soon. The premise is silly, it’s hard not to crack a smile, and the gameplay is so fun that once you start a run, it’s very hard to put down. There’s so much content to unpack, from characters to unlock to items to discover. I found plenty of small nit-picks, including difficulty with the hook shot, and sometimes the jumping was a bit awkward in boss fights. The missions felt a bit similar in design, but none of these niggles affected my adventure through the stars to save the galaxy. I absolutely recommend this to roguelike fans or anyone testing the genre for the first time. DIG is only on the PC now, but I sure would love to play this portably someday. Guess I need to start saving for a Steam Deck.
Caverns of Mars: Recharged is another worthy entry in the Recharged series. A quick pick-up and play arcade fun that will cost less than a trip back in time and a night out at the old 80s arcade. Plus, this has the added benefit of playing with a loved one, something that’s become a running theme in this series but is always welcome for local co-op fans. I liked my time with this title, but the experience feels like it stops a bit short in places and could use some extra development. This includes more level variation and upgrades and even an endless mode. As it stands, this is a decent arcade game. You may play a few times but might not return once you have had your fill.
Overall, I walked away appreciating Void Terrarium 2. The mixture of management sim and rogue-lite dungeon crawling proved quite an addictive mix which kept me hooked to the experience. I may not be able to speak much on the original game but this sequel feels bigger and more refined than the first. So if you liked the first, it’s likely you’ll love this. The gameplay loop often felt repetitive with similar mission structure and management and Torikos’ needs sometimes felt over the top at times. But it didn’t stop me coming back to tend to my garden and doing my very best to keep the fragile girl alive. Void Terrarium 2 feels like a great entry point for anyone ever deterred from the steep barrier to entry for roguelite games. With a more causal approach to difficulty, it provides plenty of incremental progress even if a run doesn’t go to plan. Once you get your head around the general mechanics, this is an ideal game to dip in and out of at your own pace and will likely find a happy home on your Nintendo Switch if you choose to pick it up.
Meg’s Monster is a game that tickled my heartstrings, something quite rare in gaming. The moment that hit the hardest was when Meg and Roy argued and later apologized to each other in a very adorable way. As a new parent trying to learn the hardest but most rewarding job of my life, I could not help but connect to the relationship between Roy and Meg. So it goes without saying I highly recommend this game. I will add caution because this game is pretty casual with minimal challenge. You’re playing this more for the story and less for the RPG mechanics. But if that sounds good to you, Megs Monster might be the monstrous cuddle you need in your gaming life.
Ninja JaJaMaru: The Great Yokai Battle + Hell is a scrummy chocolate gateau (or insert preferred cake of choice). If you opt for the extra retro collections, they are the extra yummy cupcakes. What I’m trying to say is you’ll be spoiled for arcade and retro goodness for many gaming nights to come. If you can grab a buddy or loved one to share the experience, then I guess you can call that the extra sprinkles on top. So, of course, I recommend this collection and possibly convince you to seek out your favourite dessert. The only area of improvement, like a lot of these retro collections, is not a lot of depth given to the game’s history. Regarding gameplay, the core game offers some of the best modern arcade gaming I have experienced in some time, and the extra retro content feels like a wonderful bonus adding to an already golden package.
Lootbox Lyfe+ is a good 2D adventure game, but it still feels pretty formulaic for the genre. The game doesn’t do anything wrong, the controls are solid, the accessibility options are welcome, and I admired the developers’ focus on platforming. It feels like it needs a bit more risk-taking to set it apart from the crowd. But hey, if you are looking for a solid coffee game, it’s not a bad way to spend a gaming weekend or even a long commute on a train.
When it comes down to it, Akka Arrh is a fun arcade game but probably an acquired taste. If you think back to the old days when you walked through the arcade, you could watch the game’s demo before you decided to slip a coin in. If I go by this logic, I would slide in a few coins and play Akka Arrh. But I’m unsure I would return to it once I had my fill. If you love your retro or looking for a quick arcade fix, I absolutely recommend Akka Arrh, and if this leads to more relics from the past getting tuned up and re-released today, then I’m all for that.
Power Wash Simulator is probably the most enjoyment I have had a cleaning in a video game up to this point. There is something incredibly relaxing about seeing the dirty project ahead of you. Then, little by little, turning into something new and shiny again. For me, the game is at its best when you can take things at your own pace. With that in mind, I probably wouldn’t recommend this to everyone. This slow-paced design may be boring to some, and the game’s general concept may not click. As for the Switch version, apart from the slow load times and lack of cross-play co-op, it’s a solid port. Power Wash Simulator happily places itself in the realm of Simulator games I would recommend.
Joon Shining is a pretty good puzzle game by design, but I found it stressful. I couldn’t get my ball to flow as well as it looks in the game’s trailer. Furthermore, I understood the challenge and the design the developers were going for, but it just failed to click with me. I loved the soundtrack and meditative look of the game, but that’s not how I felt playing it. Joon Shining is unlike any golf game I have played, and I can see this being something players will enjoy if they’re looking for a different take on the genre and are up for the challenge it presents. I highly recommend downloading the free demo and giving it a go. If it clicks, show a budding indie developer some support. If you give Joon Shining a chance, it may shine a light on your gaming night
Toaplan Arcade Shoot Em’Up Collection Volume 1 is fine retro goodness to enjoy on the PC. If you’re a fan of retro gaming and your shooters, then this is well worth picking up. Four games feels a touch light since Toaplan has many more arcade titles in their backlog, but I guess they are saving that for Volume 2. Now that I finally dipped my toes in the Toaplan collection, I can safely say it was time well spent. For a quick arcade fix to play alone or with a friend, you can’t go wrong with this shooty-bang banger.
Legend of Gwen is a difficult game to recommend. Even if you really love your challenging platformers, you must contend with clunky controls and slow pacing to successfully make it through the experience. It reminds me a lot of those 3D platformers from the PSone era that could not quite grasp the move from 2D to 3D. There is, of course, a portion of gamers that will welcome the challenge of Gwen, but you will need a lot of time and patience, which I clearly lacked. A shame, really, because with a bit of tidying up to the design, this could end up being something quite magical for all audiences. In its current state, it feels more like a curse than a wondrous spell. That, or maybe I’m just terrible at games starring witches.
Cannon Brawl is pure pick-up and play bliss. It quickly draws you in with its straightforward control scheme and simple objective. But with the varied tools at your disposal, the game offers a rewarding space to experiment and, most importantly, enjoy that process. Some plans worked out surprisingly well for me, and others fell destructively flat. Either way, I never found myself bored or frustrated. Every session I spent on Cannon Brawl felt entertaining. Whether you want to enjoy the game alone or with a friend, I can not recommend Cannon Brawl enough. It’s a game that shoots for the stars and absolutely meets those heights.
Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection is the best way to experience the retro classics on modern systems. Sure, this is not a totally complete collection. And it would have been nice to see a little more attention given to the galleries. However, one can’t deny these games’ solid emulation and quality that still holds up years later. Yes, it’s a pain; a smaller collection was released last year, and there is no free upgrade to get this collection if you already made the purchase. I’m a huge Wonder Boy fan, so I’m slightly biased on this review. But playing some of these games again, especially Monster Lair III, which holds a very special place in my retro heart, reminded me of better times which I haven’t thought about for some time. The Wonder Boy series is one of my gaming happy places; I can now share it with others for years to come. If you decide to take up the sword, it will hopefully create new gaming memories for you too
Kind Heart Defenders has the template for a high-score chasing arcade game. But with an upgrade system that requires excessive amounts of grinding, it becomes more of a bore than something that feels pick up and cuddle. Gaming time is pretty precious to me, so when I play a game, I want to feel a sense of enjoyment with each run. I don’t want to be too harsh on this title since I admire what’s been attempted with the mix of tower defence and space shooter. If you do have the time to spare and grinding is not a problem you may find some enjoyment here. I admire what the developers have attempted and do wish them well in future projects. Kind Heart Defenders has its heart in the right place but is not very kind about the player’s time.
Onion Assault is a satisfying 2D platformer that keeps things short and to the point. This design will suit those looking for that shorter experience or something that does away with all the fluff of experience systems and collectables. This is a game that values the player’s time. For me, it was the retro feel that hit home. A self-contained experience with no glitches, that you can enjoy in a few sittings and even possibly return to in the future. As a fan of the developers’ work, I was not left disappointed. The running and jumping didn’t always click and it’s a shame a few more levels were not squeezed in. I was still hooked till the very end. What I admire most is how this developer continues to attempt new creative projects while avoiding the familiar formulas. With all that in mind, I certainly recommend Onion Assault.
OmegaBot is a tough, rewarding platformer with a lot of heart to it. After a tricky start, the game hooked me to its conclusion. The challenge is steep, especially in those boss fights. But I couldn’t help but keep trying until I finally won the day. OmegaBot is an example of a retro-style platformer that mixes everything so well, and to top it off, its presentation, both graphically and story-wise, is unique and memorable. It shows even in the harshest of dark times, something very small and cute can be the light of hope. If you’re looking for something casual, this may not suit you. But if you’re up for the challenge, OmegaBot is no generic retro platformer. It’s something that may just surprise you.
Lone Ruin is a decent arcade roguelike, but it did leave me wanting a bit more. With only three main boss fights and nothing to really unlock during the game, it feels a little light on content. What does save it, though, is its solid gameplay, which made me come back, repeatedly, to try out new spells and jump into some instantly satisfying action. If you’re new to the action roguelike, this is a good place to start. If you’re well versed in the genre, consider this a solid pick-up and play arcade title, just maybe not the best compared to the competition.
The Outbound Ghost has the right ingredients for a delightfully wholesome RPG on Switch, but it’s not quite at its prime on this platform. In its current state, it’s certainly playable, but performance issues, blurry text and irritating loading screens between battles make it tough to recommend here. Patches look to be on the horizon, so this may be one to keep on the wishlist for later. If you have access to other platforms, you may also want to consider those options. Looking past the issues, I felt something warm and moving playing this game. It’s probably a feeling that won’t click with all gamers. As I played and talked to the NPCs dealing with their difficult emotions and just trying to make sense of their lives. I felt a lot of empathy, reflecting on some of my life experiences. If you like your RPG cute and casual or want something wholesome to enjoy on the sofa or maybe with a youngling, then I still recommend this ghostly adventure. Just maybe not right now.